Best VPN For Greece: Unblock Websites and International Content

In Greece, citizens enjoy relatively free and unrestricted internet use, with few incidents of government censorship or blocking. However, there are still some sites which are unavailable in Greece. For example, a large proportion of online gambling sites are inaccessible from Greece due to prohibitive local laws. Also, sites like Netflix offer only a limited catalogue of content for streaming due to copyright limitations.

If you live in Greece and want to access gambling sites or to stream content like movies and shows from other countries, then you need a virtual private network. A VPN will also benefit you by improving your digital security and privacy, so it is advisable for everyone who goes online to take steps to protect their personal information.

Today we’ll talk about why users in Greece may want a VPN service, then we’ll share our recommendations for the best VPN for Greece.

Accessed Blocked Websites And International Content With A VPN

When a website such as a gambling site is blocked by the government, an order is sent out to all of the ISPs in the country that they must prevent their customers from accessing the site.

Generally, this is achieved through redirections. It works like this: when you enter the URL of a blocked site into your browser, that request travels to your ISP’s network. The ISP identifies the URL as a blocked site, then either sends you to a blank site, or redirects you to a page saying that the site is blocked. If you want to access a blocked site, then you need to route your traffic via a server in another country where the site is not blocked.

You can do this using a VPN, a piece of software which encrypts all of the traffic that your device sends over the internet. This encryption means that no one can see what sites you are visiting or what information you are sending over the internet – not even your ISP. The encrypted data is sent to a server in another country, where it is decrypted and is assigned a local IP address which masks your real IP address. The now-decrypted data is then sent on to its original destination.

This means that if you use a VPN to connect to a server in a country where sites are unblocked – users often use servers in countries like Sweden or the Netherlands which have liberal internet laws – then you’ll be able to access sites like gambling sites even when they are blocked in Greece.

You can use this same method to watch video content from other countries too. For example, if you want to watch sports on the Canadian CBC channel from Greece, then you will see an error message that the content is not available in your region. To bypass this block, simply fire up your VPN, connect to a Canadian server to get an IP address from that country, then navigate back to the CBC website. CBC will receive your incoming traffic as though it were local, allowing you full access.

You can do this with other regional content like the BBC iPlayer, Comedy Central in the US, and even to unblock Netflix Japan, Netflix US, or Netflix UK.

VPNs Enhance Your Security Online

Using a VPN is also advantageous to your general online security and privacy. Usually, whenever you connect to the internet on your home network, your ISP can see everything that you do online–what sites you visit, how long you spend on each one, what information you send over the internet, and more.

The worrying thing is that ISPs collect all of this information about your internet use, and have even been known to sell it to other companies, or to hand it over to law enforcement or the government. If you use torrents for file sharing, for example, it is highly likely that your ISP will notice (because torrent traffic is very distinct) and will investigate whether you are file sharing illegally. If you are, you could face a fine or prosecution by law enforcement.

If you want to keep your internet use private, with no companies or the government able to see what you do online, then you need a VPN. The encryption layered over your data stream makes it appear like jumbled, meaningless code to anyone who intercepts it. This doesn’t prevent your ISP from being able to see that data is being transmitted over your connection, but it does make it impossible to pin down just what that data contains, where it’s going, or who the sender is. You are, for all intents and purposes, invisible to all third parties!

In addition, because a VPN disguises your true location by making your real IP address, it helps to protect you from online scams like phishing, smishing, or vishing. A VPN is also important if you use a public wifi network like the ones that you find in coffee shops, as it prevents other users on the network from being able to hack you and steal your identity.

The Five Best VPN Providers For Greece

Whether you’re living in Greece or just on a temporary visit, you’ll want to make sure you always have unrestricted access to the internet. We’ve already detailed the numerous privacy and security benefits offered by a VPN, so all there is left to do is pick a provider that fits your needs!

A word of warning first: you may see adverts for many free VPN providers and think that this would be a good way to go to save money, however we strongly advise against this. Free VPN providers often use poor levels of security, sell of data about their users, and even sell off access to users’ devices which is a major security risk. Instead, you should choose a trustworthy and reputable paid VPN provider.

We’ve narrowed down the vast VPN market to the five providers we feel offer the best level of service for money to users in Greece and beyond. A top-tier VPN provider should offer:

1. Strong encryption. A VPN provider lives and dies by its encryption protocols. We looked for services that offered the virtually unbreakable 256-bit AES encryption as standard.
2. Fast connections so that you can browse the internet without any delays and download large files quickly.
3. A large network of servers to find a server which is appropriate for your needs. Connect to far-flung countries to unblock foreign streaming services, or within Greece for a secure, local, connection.
4. Software for all of your devices so you can use your VPN subscription to simultaneously protect all of your devices like your phone, your computer, and your tablet.

We considered all of these requirements and we came up with the following list of recommended VPNs for Greece:

1. ExpressVPN – Great For Every User

ExpressVPN is a VPN that you’ll see at the top of many recommendation lists, thanks to its combination of high level of security, easy to use software, and super fast connections. All the essential security provisions are in place, like the use of strong 256-bit encryption to lock down your data stream, and a no-logging policy on traffic, DNS requests, IP addresses, browsing history. Rounding out the package are features like VPN split tunneling, an IP address checker, DNS leak protection, and an automatic kill switch (this is especially useful for torrents).

ExpressVPN’s network numbers greater than 2000 servers in 90 countries worldwide, giving you plenty of options to bypass geographic content restrictions and maximize your connection speed. In fact, ExpressVPN is so sure you’ll be impressed by their blazing-fast network, they’ve built a speed test function right into their app so you can test for yourself. Dedicated software is available across a wide array of popular platforms, including Windows, Mac OS, Linux, Android, iOS, Fire TV Stick, game consoles, and even browser extensions

Read our full ExpressVPN review here.

2. CyberGhost – Easiest To Use

CyberGhost offers industrial-strength privacy protection to the masses, boasting perhaps the easiest-to-use user interface on the market. You simply open up the app, choose from a list what you’d like CyberGhost to help you do online (including to torrent anonymously, unblock sites, protect your wifi connection, or other similar use cases), and let the software take care of configuration automatically. If you don’t have a lot of experience with VPNs, this offers a simple way to a more secure internet.

That security is guaranteed by 256-bit AES encryption, locking all third-parties out of your data stream and your business alike. What’s more, CyberGhost promises never to log your activity online, thereby ensuring your complete anonymity no matter who comes to call. Connection speeds are fast and reliable across their massive network, which accounts for 2775 servers in 60 countries worldwide, with 10 in Greece alone. Underneath the streamlined interface lies the ability to pick and choose your network settings, for a truly custom privacy experience. Get the official app on iOS, Android, Windows, Mac OS and more.

Read our full CyberGhost review here.

3. NordVPN – Most Server Options

In terms of pure utility, you’re going to have a hard time finding a better provider than NordVPN. All the core VPN features are there, including impenetrable 256-bit AES encryption and one of the industry’s best no-logging policies. While many providers boast about the size of their networks, NordVPN takes it to the next level, offering more than 4800 nodes in 62 countries. For those keeping tally, that’s twice as big as the nearest competition.

Also included in this network are servers specially optimized for P2P, anti-DDoS, onion over VPN, obfuscation, dedicated IP, and even double VPN encryption. The Swiss Army Knife of VPNs even offers a special CyberSec option, which blocks out ads and malware.

With all these features, it’s incredible how easy NordVPN is to use. There is a simple graphical user interface which features a world map, making it easy to manually pick out the right server. The same is true of each version of the software, which can be had on Windows, Mac OS, Linux, iOS, Chrome OS, Android and more.

Read our full NordVPN review here.

4. PrivateVPN – Best For Streamers

PrivateVPN is perhaps best known for its excellent access to streaming services like Netflix or Hulu, which are infamous for employing VPN-blocking countermeasures. In this game of cat and mouse, PrivateVPN always manages to stay a step ahead, providing reliable access to these sites. So, if you’re bored of Greek Netflix, try connecting via the US, Japan, or the UK for a vastly expanded catalogue!

Of course, PrivateVPN offers more than just entertainment, with heavy-duty 256-bit AES encryption protecting your data stream. When speed is a priority over security, there is an option to drop down to 128 bits to reduce the lag associated with the encryption process. Rest easier with a complete no-logging policy designed to guarantee your privacy online.

You won’t find as many servers here as with other providers, but the 80 that are available (across 56 across) are well maintained, and provide exceptionally fast and stable connections. Again–perfect for streaming, even in 4k! The software can be installed on devices running Windows, Mac OS, Linux, Android, iOS, and Amazon Fire Stick, or as a browser extension for Chrome.

Read our full PrivateVPN review here.

5. PureVPN – Bonus Security Software

PureVPN stands out in a crowded market for its unique offering: a complete VPN service bundled together with other essential cybersecurity tools. Whether you’re looking to block ads, protect your system against malware, filter out spam, or simply encrypt your data for safer browsing, PureVPN has a function to deliver on your every need.

The core VPN service offers variable 128-bit/256-bit encryption options, allowing you to balance speed and security as you need them, along with a very respectable no-logging policy. With 750 servers available in a whopping 140 countries, you’ll always have options for bypassing geographic restricts while maximizing connection performance.

Additional features found in the PureVPN software include DDoS protection, app filtering, an automatic kill switch, dedicated IP addresses, and a NAT firewall. Dedicated apps are available on Windows, Mac OS, Android, iOS, and Android TV devices, plus many more.

Conclusion

Users in Greece enjoy good internet freedoms, overall. However, there is still a need for a VPN to keep your data safe and private, as well as to bypass geographical content restrictions. We have recommended a number of VPNs that can be used in Greece to keep users secure when they go online.

Are you a Greek citizen or resident who could benefit from a VPN? Which features appeal to your needs most? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.